HYDERABAD: After much dilly-dallying, schools in the twin cities have finally started implementing fire safety measures on their premises, thanks to the rigorous campaign launched by the Fire Services Department.

As the first step, a few school managements are training teachers and students listing out the measures to be followed in case of a mishap. At least 10 schools in the city and on its fringes are conducting mock drills in coordination with Fire Department personnel every month and are teaching staff and students how to identify escape routes, switch off power supply and how to prevent stampedes among other things.

Alerting with siren

Some have fixed a separate siren to alert the staff and students. "As soon as the bell starts ringing, our teachers will take position and identify escape routes. Power supply will be stopped immediately to prevent further damage and rescue operations will be taken up accordingly," explains Jubilee Hills Public School Principal T. Sudha.

The management has already identified danger zones on the school premises. "We are conducting mock drills twice a month to assess ourselves on how to rescue the children," says Dr. Sudha, adding that from Class-IV employees to teachers and students, all were trained in fire-fighting.

Director-General Fire Services Alok Srivastava said it was a good development. "School managements have now recognised the importance of the fire safety," he said.

Not adhering to norms

A survey conducted by the Fire Department a few months ago had revealed that 363 educational institutions, including schools, in the city were not adhering to fire safety norms. Some of the schools did not have alternative escape routes and overhead water tanks to douse flames. After the Kumbakonam tragedy in Tamil Nadu in which 94 school children were charred to death in July 2004, the Director General (Civil Defence and Fire Services), Ministry of Home Affairs had asked all State Governments to ensure fire safety in school buildings. The State Government then wrote a letter to the School Education Department and also prepared a self-appraisal questionnaire on fire safety for educational institutions.

However, a majority of the institutions were yet to implement the steps, an official said.

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